My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 442 The Restless Emperor
August twenty-fifth.

Temperatures are starting to drop steadily, and the early drop suggests a potentially harsh winter.

It is located twenty li northeast of Ye City.

Yuan Xiu's temporary palace for the emperor was set up along the Zhang River. It was rather shabby, but it looked quite presentable.

After the Battle of Yingzhou, Wang Sizheng led 8,000 soldiers to resist Hou Yuan's army.

He attracted the most firepower on the front lines, but luckily he was unharmed and not seriously injured. However, Gao Yu still sent him back to Qinghe to recuperate.

On the surface, he was still Yuan Xiu's 'die-hard confidant', and naturally he was also in the carriage.

The largest tent was Yuanxiu's residence as the emperor.

The imperial guards responsible for protecting the emperor were a bit far from the tents, seemingly not daring to get too close, and occasionally, some soft, seductive music could be heard coming from inside the tents.

Wang Sizheng's expression froze, his eyes filled with disappointment.

The ambiguous relationship between Yuan Xiu and his cousin Yuan Mingyue was previously just a rumor, but during his recuperation in Qinghe, he discovered that it was not just a rumor.

The ancestors of the Great Wei were Xianbei. The Hu people were indeed not particular about ethics and social norms; succession was based on the father dying and the son succeeding the father, in all aspects, including women…

Back then, Cui Hao only briefly recorded some of the "dirty things" done by the Tuoba family's ancestors when he was compiling history, and it almost caused the Qinghe Cui clan to be expelled from the family list ahead of schedule.

but……

Yuan Xiu is the emperor.

Moreover, the emperor was installed by the Gao brothers. If this were to get out, the emperor would lose face.

It's not just the face of the Great Wei royal family that's damaged, but also the Gao brothers who will lose face.

What kind of thing did they just elect?

"How could the emperor be so immoral..."

Wang Sizheng sighed helplessly.

The guilt in my heart lessened considerably; such a morally bankrupt person was not worth my service!

He ultimately didn't go and interrupt Yuan Xiu's good deed. Instead, he stood outside and waited for a while until there was no more movement inside. He still waited patiently for a few more moments before preparing to go and report.

The Imperial Guards did not stop him, after all, Wang Sizheng was one of Yuan Xiu's most trusted confidants.

As soon as they got a little closer, the sounds from inside the tent became clearly audible. Yuan Xiu was talking loudly inside the tent as if he wasn't afraid of being overheard at all.

Gao Huan was actually quite kind to the emperor he had installed.

The Imperial Guard soldiers were all selected by Yuan Xiu's orders, but how could Yuan Xiu be so confident that there wouldn't be anyone with 'ulterior motives' who would go and inform on them?
"I heard that Gao Huan was ambushed by Erzhu Rong and surrounded, almost dying. If Gao Yu hadn't brought a large army to the scene, he might have been dead..."

"It's a pity that the traitor Erzhu Rong didn't kill all the Gao brothers! If these two traitors were dead, I would be able to put my skills to use and restore the great Wei dynasty."

Yuan Xiu seemed to be complaining to someone.

"Your Majesty...be careful with your words, you can't say such things carelessly."

Yuan Mingyue whispered a reminder, "In the current situation, only the Gao brothers can take charge. If they were to die, how would His Majesty deal with this chaotic situation? His Majesty still needs to rely on the two brothers right now. Moreover... the Gao brothers have never acted arrogantly or rebelliously. They have always upheld the duties of a subject and respected His Majesty as their sovereign..."

"enough!"

Yuan Xiu wanted to get angry, but dared not raise his voice too much, so he could only growl, "I, I, I! You dog-legged I! If those two brothers truly acknowledge me as the Son of Heaven, why do they control the government? Why don't they return power to me!"

Yuan Xiu was still angry.

"Hmph, these two brothers are just like the traitor Erzhu Rong, they are also wolves in sheep's clothing. No! They are even more disgusting than Erzhu Rong! At least Erzhu Rong didn't pretend to be a loyal minister. Gao Yu and Gao Huan are birds of a feather, nominally Wei ministers, but in reality Wei traitors!"

"Your Majesty... General Tian Ce has just performed a great service."

"Hmph, after his meritorious service last time, the people from the Tian Ce Mansion rushed over to ask me to bestow upon him the title of King and the Nine Bestowments..."

"It's possible that the people from the Tian Ce Mansion made the decision without authorization."

"Do you believe that? Without Gao Yu's instruction, would the people of Tian Ce Mansion dare to act like this? To pressure me like this? That's why I say this person is utterly disgusting!"

"So, what does Your Majesty intend to do?"

"Hmph... Sizheng has made great contributions but has not been rewarded. I intend to promote him to the rank of Palace General. As for the Gao brothers? I intend to severely injure Gao Huan and neglect Gao Yu, so that the two brothers will have a falling out again! If the two brothers really become enemies, then I can mediate between them."

How foolish! Wang Sizheng, standing outside the tent, couldn't bear to listen any longer.

He coughed loudly, then spoke up.

"His Majesty……"

"Who's outside?!"

"Your Majesty, it is your subject, Wang Sizheng, who requests an audience."

"It's ideological and political education."

After a rustling sound, Yuan Xiu finally spoke, "Come in."

Wang Sizheng entered and found Yuan Mingyue nowhere to be seen. After looking around, he noticed that the bedding on the bed behind him was bulging. Wang Sizheng pretended not to see it, bowed, and asked.

"Your Majesty, why did you stop your carriage here earlier?"

"I've been traveling a long way and am exhausted. What's wrong with that?"

"General Tian Ce led a large number of military commanders ten miles outside the city to prepare to welcome your carriage, but your actions have chilled General Tian Ce's heart."

Yuan Xiu's expression froze for a moment, but he said with a straight face, "I did this on purpose. What? Just because they came out of the city to welcome me, I have to disregard my health and go to see them. Who is the emperor of Great Wei, me or Gao Yu?"

"I parked my carriage here, so he can't lead his entourage to see me? Is this his way of being a subject?"

"I want to teach them a lesson about their temper and character, and let them know who the real emperor is."

Seeing that Yuan Xiu showed no remorse and didn't even intend to make amends, Wang Sizheng's disappointment deepened.

The words I wanted to say, I couldn't be bothered to say even when they reached my lips.

But Yuan Xiu had ultimately been kind to him and had once been his lord. Yuan Xiu's willingness to get involved in this mess was only because he had persuaded him in every way.

He could only offer a kind reminder.

"His Majesty."

"Given the current situation, you must act with caution. General Tian Ce is a pillar of the nation. To quell the traitor Er Zhu Rong and avenge the late emperor, we still need to rely on his bravery. You must not let him down."

"how?"

Yuan Xiu figured out what was going on. He turned around and looked coldly at Wang Sizheng. "Sizheng, seeing their power, also wants to go and seek refuge?"

"His Majesty……"

Wang Sizheng shook his head and said, "I only wish that Your Majesty would not make a mistake. Living a peaceful life is better than anything else. If you forcibly cause trouble... the consequences will be unimaginable."

"There are many people with ulterior motives around Your Majesty; do not listen to the words of these villains..."

"Your Majesty, I have said all I need to say. I hope Your Majesty will take heed."

After bowing respectfully, Wang Sizheng left on his own initiative.

He was truly exhausted.

When death is imminent, one cannot see the situation clearly.

They were even trying to sow discord between the Gao brothers.

Previously, there were conflicts between the brothers because Gao Huan had a strong base of support, power, and confidence, which led to his inflated ambition.

But after this battle, Gao Huan's entire foundation was wiped out.

Where would there be any unrealistic ideas?

Even though Wang Sizheng was an outsider, from his perspective, the Gao brothers had already been quite kind to this puppet emperor.

Yuan Xiu was given a fair amount of power, but he wasn't allowed to make decisions unilaterally.

If this really angers Gao Yu...

I'm afraid they won't even be able to be puppets.

Do you really think Gao Yu has no temper at all?

(End of this chapter)